Friday, March 30, 2012

[This is a sticky post. Please scroll down for the most recent articles]

Happy Mothering and SAPsMaMa are excited to bring you the Green Spring Clean Giveaway Hop March 21-30 for your chance to win eco-friendly and green products!

Spring Cleaning is a “tradition” in many households, but have you ever thought about all of the chemicals in the household cleaners you use to get that shiny countertop and lemony-fresh bathroom? We challenge you to more “Green” this year with eco-friendly, non-toxic household cleaners that will not only lessen your impact on the environment, but can increase your health by decreasing your exposure to harmful chemicals and increasing your indoor air quality!

My sponsor for this giveaway hop is Natural House, makers of a line of natural probiotic cleaners that are as tough as commercial cleaners, but safe for the environment and the members of your home! After you've entered my giveaway, go visit the other 20+ blogs in the Spring Clean Giveaway Hop listed in the linky below the Rafflecopter form and see what other prizes you can win! Good luck!

I will be posting a review in the next two weeks, but in the meantime watch this video to learn more about how Natural House products work to clean and eliminate odors from the most challenging areas of your home for up to one week using non-toxic probiotics:

Win It:Win a 30-day supply of Flushy, Trashy, and Sinky. I am also throwing in a $5 iTunes gift card for the winner so that you can whistle while you work! Open to US residents only.

Please Read How to Enter This Giveaway: you must use the Rafflecopter form below to record your entries. Comments left on this blog post for the required or extra entries don't count unless you record it on the Rafflecopter form. There have been some changes to Rafflecopter! For instance, you now have to login with Facebook or your name/email address. This enables you to see your entries in a giveaway and edit them if needed. Please wait for the form to load, it may take longer to pop up than the rest of the web page. Make sure you have java script enabled and your browser updated. If you encounter an error, refreshing the page usually resolves the
problem. If problem persists, please report the issue to Rafflecopter. Login to get started, click "Do It" next to each task to see the instructions, and start collecting your entries!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

This week's picks from Netflix Instant Watch:

Movies:The Lincoln Lawyer, a film about the seedy underbelly of the criminal justice system stars exceedingly handsome Matthew McConaughey as slick LA criminal defense attorney Mick Haller who works out of his Lincoln Town Car...get it? Mick gets caught up in a shady case involving a wealthy client that puts him, his family and friends in danger and he has to find a way to get disentangled while seeing justice done. It's a decent crime thriller with a bumping soundtrack.

Welcome to the First Edition of the Black Birth Carnival. Hosted by Darcel of The Mahogany Way Birth Cafe and Nicole of Musings From The Mind of Sista Midwife.Our first topic is Birthing While Black: A Historical Perspective. At the end of this post you will find a list of links to the other participants. Some of these posts may contain Emotional Triggers and will be labeled at the beginning of the post.

****

My mother and her mother are from a small Caribbean island called Jamaica. Maybe you’ve heard of it. My grandmother gave birth to six live children at home in rural St. Elizabeth Parish. Her own mother or the village midwife assisted with each delivery. Doctors were expensive, far away, and only fetched for in cases of emergency. A woman in labor was not considered a medical condition in need of doctor care. My grandmother birthed six healthy children who grew up and had kids of their own. My mother was her fourth child. Mommy also gave birth to six live children, but in the United States. I am the oldest, born in the defunct Fordham Hospital in Bronx, NY. My sister after me was born in a Manhattan hospital and the rest of my siblings were all born in hospitals in Miami.

I am more than a little curious to know how a family goes from midwife-assisted home birth to doctor-administered hospital birth in one generation. Immigration and assimilation are two obvious answers, but I think it goes deeper. In rural, impoverished Jamaica my grandmother had no choice. In America, where doctors are plentiful and easily accessible, even for the poor, I cannot imagine my grandmother encouraging my mother to deliver at home under the supervision of a midwife. It was a symbol of “moving on up” to give birth in a hospital, especially a private one. It’s what any old-school Jamaican woman from “de yard” would want for her daughter.

Even in a hospital setting with all its medical technology and procedures available to her, my mother maintained an old-fashioned outlook on birth, particularly that it was a natural process that women’s body were built to perform. She eschewed epidurals and other medical interventions during all her births. All six of us were born naturally, promptly breastfed (for varying lengths of time), and raised with a natural parenting style. Growing up, I remember our meals were always home-cooked and heavy with fresh vegetables. There was never junk food in our cupboards and we didn’t eat fast food except on rare occasions. My mom kept an arsenal of homeopathic remedies to treat every childhood ailment from whooping cough to ringworm. We only went to the doctor for our annual check-up and received the minimum required vaccines to attend school. Chickenpox was considered a childhood rite of passage.

When I became pregnant with my first child, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of my foremothers and continue the tradition of natural birth and parenting. So I was beyond surprised by mommy’s and grandma’s reaction to my birth choices. On my decision to give birth naturally at a birthing center with a midwife…“Is that going to be safe? What happens if something goes wrong?” On my decision to breastfeed past six months…“you should add formula so you can get a break.” On my decision to cloth diaper…“why do you want to create more work for yourself?”

I chalked up the rude questions and comments to maternal concern. No mother wants to see her daughter in pain or suffering. I forged ahead with my birth plan, which wasn’t executed according to my vision but achieved the desired outcome. During the first 10 hours I was in labor I kept picturing my grandmother squatting in her bedroom and pushing out six babies. Surely, I could do it at least once! When it was time to push I wanted to squat too, but my midwife, a former nurse, insisted I lie on my back and lean forward. She didn’t respect my instincts and she certainly didn’t understand my need to spiritually connect with my roots. After several attempts to do it her way, I was transported to a hospital at the 11th hour because my baby girl was in distress. When I arrived I was greeted by a black, female obstetrician who took my hand and said, “let’s go get your baby.” A sense of peace washed over me as she led me to the labor and delivery room. Inside, a squadron of nurses were busily preparing trays of medical tools and the feeling of dread returned. The OB examined me, said my baby needed to be turned, and politely asked if I would like an epidural.” I honestly wavered for a minute, bust said no. The OB reached in and gave my baby a quarter turn, and my daughter arrived two pushes later. It hurt like hell, but I’d do it all over again to bring her into this world 100% au natural. The pain quickly evaporated in the euphoria of holding my daughter and nursing her for the first time.

I have never discussed my first birth experience from a racial perspective. I’m not saying that the white midwife was incapable of delivering black babies, but she was culturally incompetent. For example, when she asked to touch my natural hair during an appointment or when she chastised my pregnancy smallness with the comment that, “black women usually don’t have a problem gaining weight,” it put a divide in our relationship and hung a cloud of suspicion in my mind. I think I carried these misgivings into my labor on a subconscious level. Could I have said something? Yes, but it’s not my job to point out her racial insensitivity or reprogram her ignorance. A more aware professional would have recognized what a huge milestone natural childbirth was for a black woman in today’s society. She would have embraced my color by recommending books for me to read or sharing copies of articles by black midwives. After all, among the small percentage of women who are opting for natural childbirth in this country, black women are an even smaller, um, minority.

Overall, I am filled with pride when I recall my birth story. I feel like I have drawn another notch on my maternal lineage and brought my heritage full circle. I can’t help but think about the black women during slavery who gave birth in cotton fields without pain meds, slung their newborns on their backs and kept picking or the mammies who nursed their master’s children. I wholeheartedly believe their spirit and strength is in the blood of every modern black woman. Natural childbirth and breastfeeding is a part of our history that we should embrace. Too many of us are surrendering our bodies and babies to modern science (formula), miseducation (a hospital is the only safe place to give birth), and myths (breastfeeding spoils babies). I am all for a woman choosing to give birth and raise her child the way she sees fit as long as she is making an informed decision. I applaud midwives and doulas like Erykah Badu who are reaching out to the African-American community and providing real birth education and offering alternative birth options.

I am currently preparing for the birth of my second child any day now and my first prayer is to deliver a healthy baby, but a close second prayer is for another natural birth.
****

****

Please take time to read the other submissions for the Black Birth Carnival. These are very touching, thought-provoking posts

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Before I recap this week, I have to tell you about the almost nightmare repair bill we were facing. It started when I woke up in the wee hours on Wednesday morning because nature was calling. There were no lights in the bathroom. I DO NOT pee in the dark...fear of spiders, snakes, piranha in the toilet, but I digress. There are lights working elsewhere in the house, so Damon goes outside to check the fuse box. Nothing. We have about 70% of lights and outlets working. He calls an electrician when the sun comes comes and they say to call the power company because scattered electricity is usually a problem with a power line. The power company comes out that evening and tells us they fixed the problem and to throw the circuit breaker. Nothing. At that point, it sounds like a wiring problem. A massively expensive wiring problem in our 1927 home. I am imagining holes being punched in the drywall and ceilings and a repair bill that could not come at a worst time. I wake up in the middle of the night to tracking lighting shining in my eyes. All power is back! I could not believe our good fortune. I actually got down on my knees and thanked God for his mercy. I just had to share.

This may come as a shock, but...I'm still pregnant (as of the time I posted this)! Not even one sign that the time is close. I am staring down 38 weeks and Chocolate Chip has made no moves to evacuate the oven. I'm not anxious though. (S)he can bake some more. I am in no rush to start taking care of a Tasmanian devil toddler and a newborn.

Let's see, what else is going on? Marlie started her new school schedule this week 8:30 am-2:30 pm. She has adapted well to staying longer, but nap time can be hit or miss. In other progress news, I dare say we are officially potty-trained! Sure, there are a couple of accidents here and there and we still use a cloth diaper at night because she is such a heavy wetter. But she is in panties all day and going to the bathroom on her own! She refers to herself as a princess when she goes, "See mommy? I be princess!" She also likes to say "ta-da" when she's made potty. So, which is it? Is she a princess or a magician? The picture above her potty says, "Marlie's Throne."

Every now and then my sweet tomboy does or says something to remind me that she is a girl. Like the princess references. On Friday, she asked me to put ponytails in her hair. Baby girl only has enough hair for tiny Afro puffs, but okay. She is clearly developing a self-image and becoming conscious of her appearance. I catch her looking at herself in the mirror and smiling. The child knows she is cute with that cocoa skin and big almond eyes that sport lashes a mile long. And her smile...swoon. We are in big trouble. She has developed a bad habit recently, which is biting her nails and nail beds. She even does it in her sleep. I know this tick is genetic because her daddy does it too. I actually sat in the car and watched the two of them go at their fingernails like a couple of crazed beavers. Her cuticles are all chewed and she has hangnails.I need to come up with a deterrent that does not involve spreading some chemical on her fingers or using punishments.

As for me...Marlie's new schedule has given me a new lease on life. I can actually go have lunch with friends and make afternoon appointments! One thing I did do right away was go see a chiropractor that practices around the corner from our house and was recommended by the naturopathic doctor who's been counseling me in natural childbirth. He did some energy clearing and adjustments. I left clearer minded and walking more upright which is saying a lot since I am carrying a bullet train in front.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

This post was tough for me to write because tragedy struck a fellow mommy blogger a couple of weeks ago when she lost her youngest son to this very disease. RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, which is like the common cold but can lead to serious complications and even death. Almost every baby will contract RSV by age 2, but only 1/3 of moms say they’ve heard of the virus. That's because most babies with fight off the infection and recover without the parents being any wiser. Symptoms of serious RSV infection include: persistent coughing or wheezing; rapid, difficult, or gasping breaths; blue color on the lips, mouth, or under the fingernails; high fever; extreme fatigue; and difficulty feeding. Parents should contact a medical professional immediately upon signs of these symptoms. There is no treatment for RSV, so it’s important for parents to take preventive steps to help protect their child.

What can you do to prevent RSV? As parents, you are your baby's first line of defense. Wash hands, toys, bedding frequently; avoid crowds and cigarette smoke. It's also important to enforce baby etiquette to protect infants from serious infections like RSV, especially if they were born premature or with another complication that increases their risk. I am not a confrontational person at all, but I did turn into a mama bear when we had visitors and when I took my newborn out in public. I stashed hand sanitizer in all the rooms and asked family and friends to use it. I also told strangers point blank not to touch my baby. I didn't care if people got offended, but it's not so easy for some parents to communicate their uneasiness about human contact with their newborn. Here is an open letter designed to help new parents respectfully discuss baby etiquette with others:

We all love new babies and want to meet them, but we also have to be aware that they are vulnerable. So remember these tips when a loved one has a new baby:

Call before you visit. New parents need time to set up a routine and bond. By giving them time to do so before you visit, you are respecting the new family.

Postpone a visit if you feel that you may be getting sick, have recently been ill or exposed to illness.

Remember that parents know best. If you feel they are being overprotective or overly cautious, just consider that only they know what’s best for the health of their new son or daughter.

Offer to do something to ease their responsibilities as they spend time as a family, such as laundry, cooking or dishes. Sleep-deprived moms and dads will appreciate your help!

If you do schedule a visit with a new baby:

Wash your hands frequently—upon entering the home and especially prior to holding the baby. Parents, and the new baby, will appreciate it.

Leave toddlers at home, especially during the winter months. Young
children, especially if they attend day care or preschool, often carry
germs and viruses, like RSV, that are easily spread.

Couponing has swept the nation. It now a competitive sport to try and get your groceries for 100% free thanks to TV shows like Extreme Couponing. Bloggers are getting in on the action by posting about their extreme shopping trips to favorite stores like Target and Wal-Mart and proudly showcasing their haul. I am always in awe by spoils, but I don't see myself getting in on this trend. First off, I don't buy many of the products for which most coupons are offered (i.e. canned/microwaveable foods), I don't have room for stockpiling, and I don't see the point of subscribing to a clipping service.

That doesn't mean I don't coupon. I do! I visit websites like CouponCodes4u before I do any shopping for the latest coupon codes, deals, sales, discounts, and printable coupons. Coupon sites are an easy way to find savings, especially if you shop online. For example, if I want to find the best deal on running shoes from my favorite brand I just type Puma Coupon Codes in the search box and a list of available coupons pops up with their expiration date. I just click on the one I want to redeem and shop. Simple!

Couponing is not just for moms. I know that office managers are feeling the budget squeeze of keeping office supplies stocked while keeping costs down. A coupon and discount site is a must-stop for the savvy office manager. A quick coupon search for an office supplier like Quill Coupon Codes and coupons for ink toner and copy paper magically appear. The CFO will be impressed with your wizardry!

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

If toddlers think about things like BFFs, this little girl would qualify as Marlie's. They attend school together and Marlie talks about her all.the.time. She is a sweet child who looks out for Marlie at school, and as you can see they get along great!

I have been a H-U-G-E fan of My Wonderful Walls for three years, ever since we painted Marlie's nursery with one of their gorgeous wall murals using the Flower Theme Wall Stencil Kit. The results were amazing and have held up nicely over the past three years. We have not had to do any retouches at all! When we have company visiting they gush over Marlie's room and ask if a professional artist painted it. I tell them how easy it was to do with the wall stencils from My Wonderful Walls.This is Marlie's room after it was complete:

For our second baby I turned to My Wonderful Walls to create the same ambiance within a limited space (bambino has to share our room until we get a new place). I looked at the wall stickers, which are removable and re-positionable but I opted for the canvas wall art. I received a 15x20 panel from the Jungle Safari Theme. The canvas wall murals are a great option if you are living in a rental and cannot paint or use adhesives on the walls, if you don't desire the permanency of a painted mural, or if you'd like to take your wall decor with you if you move. They can be customized with your child's name and the colors adjusted to match your decor. Plus, they arrive on your doorstep ready to hang!

The Loving Giraffes looks so beautiful above the baby's crib and it matches the crib bedding so well! I cannot wait to purchase additional panels and add his/her name to one of them.

About This Company:

"My Wonderful Walls in formed 2008 with a mere four wall stencil kits, and now
we carry hundreds of popular products. Each and every one of our
products is designed and manufactured with tender loving care in the USA
in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee. Feel free to explore our extensive
collection of baby nursery decor, wall murals for kids, wall stickers,
wall stencils, wall murals, stencils for walls, and wall decals. And be
sure to check out our helpful How-To videos and Customer Gallery
section. We are sure you’ll love what you see!

It gives me great pleasure to be able to offer one of my readers the chance to win a kit from My Wonderful Walls to add some pizzazz to the walls of their child's room.

Please Read How to Enter This Giveaway: you must use the Rafflecopter form below to record your entries. Comments left on this blog post for the required or extra entries don't count unless you record it on the Rafflecopter form. There have been some changes to Rafflecopter! For instance, you now have to login with Facebook or your name/email address. This enables you to see your entries in a giveaway and edit them if needed. Please wait for the form to load, it may take longer to pop up than the rest of the web page. Make sure you have java script enabled and your browser updated. If you encounter an error, refreshing the page usually resolves the
problem. If problem persists, please report the issue to Rafflecopter. Login to get started, click "Do It" next to each task to see the instructions, and start collecting your entries!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

I am nesting mode and my brain isn't processing anything that is not about this baby's impending birth. I don't want this blog to suffer, so I am placing a call for submissions for guest writers. I will publish the posts while I'm taking a maternity leave from this blog in April.

Monday, March 19, 2012

While pregnant with my first child I spent so much time focused on getting ready for her birth that I didn't give much thought to my postpartum care. I wasn't prepared for how much my booty would hurt afterward and used whatever products I had on hand, which resulted in an infection in the perineal area.

If only I had known about Earth Mama Angel Baby's products to comfort and heal this mama's bottom. I was sent the Mama's Birth & Baby Kit-Travel Size to review just in time for the birth of my second child. It came in in a beautiful organza bag that I didn't not want to disturb at first. I squealed with delight once I opened it. The package is filled with organic products for mommy and newborn in convenient travel sizes to pack in your birth bag or carry-on when flying! Here is what is in the kit:

The Birth & Baby Kit was created with both the baby's and
mama's needs in mind. Every mama needs pure, soothing products to take care of her hurty mama parts after she's pushed a baby into the world! And every baby deserve a toxin-free first bath, diaper change, and massage. Miami Valley Hospital agrees. They just "greened" their nursery and switched to using Earth Mama's Angel Baby Oil, Natural Non-Scents Hand to Toe Soap, and Angel Baby Shampoo and Body Wash! All newborns, NICU babies, and new mama's will now get cleaned and massaged with zero-toxin goodness!

The Angel Baby Bottom Balm is a product we are very familiar with in this household! I've been using it on my firstborn since another cloth diapering mama recommended it. It's fabulous! I already stashed my Birth & Baby Kit in my birth bag, and I have already started using the nipple cream to get ready for breastfeeding. I will not be caught unprepared for this baby's birth! Buy It:The Mama’s Birth & Baby Kit - travel size retails for $29.95. Buy one for yourself or as a baby shower gift! Or....Win It:Win your a travel size Birth & Baby Kit from Earth Mama Angel Baby right here! Open to US/CAN residents only.

Please Read How to Enter This Giveaway: you must use the Rafflecopter form below to record your entries. Comments left on this blog post for the required or extra entries don't count unless you record it on the Rafflecopter form. There have been some changes to Rafflecopter! For instance, you now have to login with Facebook or your name/email address. This enables you to see your entries in a giveaway and edit them if needed. Please wait for the form to load, it may take longer to pop up than the rest of the web page. Make sure you have java script enabled and your browser updated. If you encounter an error, refreshing the page usually resolves the
problem. If problem persists, please report the issue to Rafflecopter. Login to get started, click "Do It" next to each task to see the instructions, and start collecting your entries!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

I know I have been M.I.A. in the blogosphere except for some scheduled giveaway posts and tweets, but for good reason. I've been getting organized for Chocolate Chip's debut and obsessively nesting. At my last doctor's appointment, my OB took one look at my low-rider bump and said this baby might come before my next appointment. That put me in high gear! Minus a few shopping snafus (back orders, coupon codes not working, packages arriving incomplete), I feel ready for this baby to arrive! I am working on some great posts as well as seeking guest articles for when I take a maternity leave from this blog (look out for more information on Tuesday). I promise to catch up with you all this week. Meanwhile, enjoy these Marlie updates:

We had our first missing child scare in a department store last Sunday. We took Marlie shoe shopping at Nordstrom Rack (3 pairs of Spring shoes for under $50! That's what I'm talking about!). While we were browsing the shoe rack, she takes off. She is fast, like FloJo fast. We couldn't find her for two minutes, but it seemed like forever. I felt my heart seize up with fear as I scanned the front doors for anyone attempting to leave with my child. People saw her streak past and would point out the direction she went. This is how we found her. Near the checkout line, in a fit of giggles. We were not amused. We had a talk about running off and how a mean person could have taken her away. I hope it sinks in. I never want to feel that panic of not knowing where my baby girl is ever again.

She has this way of combining words that is so funny. Lion + Tiger = Linger (pronounced line-ger). She calls any jungle cat a linger. She calls Damon maddy (my + daddy). And a "rubber band aid" can be a rubber band or a ponytail holder.

She is really into superheros. Her daddy taught her names of all the Marvel comic characters. Her favorite is Spider-man.

This week was Spring Break, so she has been home with me all day. We've done lots of drawing and shopping and playing at the park and lunching at our favorite organic restaurants. We also really focused on using the potty and she had some perfect days (we even went out in panties and came home dry!) and some not-so-perfect days where she couldn't be bothered to stop doing whatever to go to the bathroom. Overall, I am happy with her potty training. She knows her body's signals and how to go on her own, it's just a matter of consistency now. It's been a great week. The time change doesn't seem to have had an negative impact on her sleeping as it's had in the past.

ECSTATIC UPDATE!!! My bloggy friend Alexia from Babies and Bacon gave birth yesterday (on St. Patrick's Day) to a gorgeous baby girl. Mama and baby and daddy and Big Sis C are doing great and home from the birthing center. Congratulations to them!

Children's education has changed dramatically in the last twenty years. Education policymakers are all focused on accountability in teaching and learning now. That has translated into the development of standardized tests to ensure that students are meeting common core state standards.

Of course there are other measures of academic achievement, but these assessments are seen as a universal yardstick and they are not going anywhere. If anything teachers, students, and parents should be prepared to see even more testing beyond the basics of math and reading.Many states now have subject tests for the social and science studies and the SAT now includes a writing portion.

A lot hinges on these test scores such as school funding, teacher pay/bonuses, and of course your child's educational progress. It can be frustrating and frightening if your child's school is designated as "in need of improvement." That is code for low-performing school. But you don't have to feel helpless and stuck. Do you remember the movie Lean on Me where Principal Joe Clark rallied the parents to support their children as they got ready for the big national test? The same principle applies today (pun intended).

So, how can parents get involved? The U.S. Department of Education has a resource page of supplemental educational services that offer assistance.Community organizations called LEAs (local education agencies) provide eligible students with academic tutoring and after-school programs. In San Francisco, the Metro Academy is credited with helping students pass their exams and become first-generation college students. Metro Academy is a partnership between San Francisco State University, City College of San Francisco, and the local school district. There are services like these all around the country.

But what if your child is struggling and doesn't qualify for an LEA program? Your options are to hire a private tutor or enroll him or her in an enrichment center. Both of these can be pricey. Another option is to get academic assistance online in the comfort of your own home. The benefits of these services are numerous such as scheduling, pacing, and affordability. Plus, incorporating technology into your child's tutoring plan can be a great motivational tool.

Testing is becoming a part of life that our children have to become
accustomed to and it is our job to prepare them. They are going to need
strong testing skills not just for exams, but also for many professions.It's going to take a village to educate our children.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

I'm not a blogging "maven" nor am I a social media expert. But I am an active sweeper meaning that I enter A LOT of giveaways. I think that gives me a teensy bit of credibility on the topic of organizing a giveaway. I hope this article is received with the love and sincerity that it was written.

I've seen many changes in the social media giveaway landscape since I started entering them more than three years ago. Most recently, giveaway hops and widgets like Rafflecopter have exponentially increased the reach of blog-hosted contests. More bloggers are hosting giveaways because it's easier to attract entrants and easier to host. This is a good thing. The bad thing is that giveaway posts are getting a little, um, sloppy.

I find myself frustrated lately at the lack of simple organization and the proliferation of errors in the giveaways I try to enter. I could overlook it if these were isolated incidents, but it seems to be an epidemic! So, I decided to speak up, to offer some friendly advice, and hope that bloggers read this and make some changes before we all suffer:

The Devil is in the Details. The 4 Ws (Who, What, When, hoW) are a good place to start. Please make sure you cover these little details in the body of your post. Who is the sponsor/who can enter? What is the prize? When does the giveaway end? How does one enter? Also, provide some information about the prize. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen a giveaway for a prize from a name I've never heard of and there is no description, not even a link to a spotlight post. Sometimes I Google it, but most times I skip it. Oh, and a picture would be nice.

Be Kind to Your Audience. Pop-ups are annoying. I hate scavenging for the close button on a pop-up ad or trying to minimize those social media button toolbars that are blocking the entry form. Sometimes I don't try. I just leave the blog. The same goes for the type and number of entries. I know as bloggers you want to get as many new fans/followers/subscribers, but you cannot force someone to become a loyal reader. Please stop with the mandatory email subscription! In addition, if you ask entrants to leave a blog post comment, please turn off your captcha/word verification. On that same note, if you moderate comments you need to check your spam folder to make sure entries aren't being disqualified because your filter is eating up the comments. It shaves precious seconds when you are trying to complete as many giveaways in a hop not to have to jump through hoops to make sure your comment went through. Speaking of which, be considerate of your fellow bloggers in the hop. Don't be an entry hog. It's really unfair to have 20 or 30 different entries for one giveaway. Other giveaways want some love too. I run giveaways, and I just reassessed my entries and decided that asking people to vote for my blog on a directory is not productive (I'm never going to be #1, so who am I kidding?!). I also all removed bonus entries that were not related to running the giveaway or improving my blog's influence.

Check Your Work. Remember when you took a math test in elementary school and when you went to turn it in your teacher asked if you checked your work? That is a life lesson that applies here. Broken links, Facebook error messages, tweet posts that aren't set up correctly are all examples of bloggers not checking their work before posting a giveaway. Please test your links and the entries on your form to make sure they work! If you are using Rafflecopter, learn how to use it. Did you know that you can create hyperlinks in an entry using HTML? It saves sweepers a lot of time! For example, if I want an entrant to visit the sponsor site, I would select "Choose Your Own Task," changing the title to "Visit Sponsor Site." Then using brackets for the anchor text and parentheses for the URL, I would provide the link to the sponsor page: [Visit Sponsor Page](www.examplesite.com). The brackets and parentheses must be next to each other, no spaces. Ta da! No more need for me to to cut and paste or Google a page.

Give Sponsor Love. This should go without saying, but I've seen the lack of sponsor love on enough giveaways to see it as a growing issue. I've actually had sponsors require that their company/product get top billing, so they are noticing too. At a minimum, there should be a backlink to your sponsor's website in your post. Then there should be entries to follow their social media pages. These entries should come first and not be buried under an avalanche of entries directed at your blog. After someone has followed you on Facebook, Twitter, BlogFrog, and StumbleUpon, given you Klout, written you an Alexa review, etc...they might be too fatigued to pay any attention to the sponsor, and that would be a crying shame. After all, they are putting up the prize and probably provided you with product too. If you are unsure what the sponsor wants, just ask.

Okay, so that's it. I'll get off my soapbox now. Please share, Stumble, tweet, pin, etc...if you found this article useful! Speaking of StumbleUpon, please don't ask entrants to Stumble your giveaway. People hate to stumble upon an expired giveaway.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Breastfeeding is a natural and healthy way to feed your baby, but it can also be a challenge for modern mothers.

I read several breastfeeding guides and took a class when I was pregnant with my first child. I learned the mechanics and was able to successfully breastfeed for 18 months. However, I was really ready to start weaning at 12 months because I felt my daughter was primarily nursing for comfort which I could provide in other ways, but I didn't know what to do. All the books I read kind of glossed over the subject. The lactation consultant and many of the breastfeeding moms I talked to pushed baby-led weaning and I felt guilty for bringing it up. Six months later, I was still nursing and there seemed to be no end in sight. Ultimately, nature intervened (I got pregnant and my milk dried up). I was worried about effects the abrupt end of nursing would have on my 18-month old, but she didn't bat an eye when I told her mommy's milk went bye bye. That reaffirmed my suspicion that we had both been ready to wean for some time. I regret not having the support so we could have eased into it.

Now there is a straightforward and practical book for moms who desire to wean. The ebook Hello Milk, Bye Bye Milk is written with an understanding that today's mothers face a number of obstacles (work, other family obligations, illness) that prevent us from breastfeeding the recommended two years. I enjoyed reading it because it provides the expert advice without being preachy.

How I wish I had this book when I first started breastfeeding! It is so thorough.The first half covers how to breastfeed and the second half discusses how to gently wean your baby or toddler. To me the most helpful section is what NOT to do when weaning. The book dispels many old wives advice on weaning (some of which I heard from my own mom like rubbing cayenne pepper on my nipples so the baby will be turned off from breastfeeding). Every breastfeeding mom should get this book!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Spring has sprung! If you are like me you are already shopping for your little ones' spring/summer wardrobe including baby hats to keep the sun's harmful rays out of their eyes. Now that I am going to have two little children to shop for, I know I can count on MyBabyClothes.com for the latest trends in baby clothes.

MyBabyClothes.com has a wide selection of uniquely stylish and inexpensive outfits and accessories for newborns through toddlers. So I knew I would have no problem finding a take-home outfit for the newest member of our family due in April! I looked at several gender neutral sets like these. The one on the left is an organic 5-piece layette set by Baby Aspen called, "Fresh Produce." The one on the right is Mud Pies' Angle Ruffle 2-piece set in cream.

I finally settled on the Mud Pie Mommy's Little Angle Sleeper for my little girl/guy and here it is pictured on Marlie's baby doll (because the real model isn't due until April). It's perfectly warm for the cold hospital room and it has the most darling angel wings on the back!

If we have another girl I am thinking about dressing her and her big sister up in matching tutus and baby headbands for a their first sibling photo shoot! I really like this Zilly Bean set by available on MyBabyClothes.com:

Please Read How to Enter This Giveaway: you must use the Rafflecopter form below to record your entries. Comments left on this blog post for the required or extra entries don't count unless you record it on the Rafflecopter form. There have been some changes to Rafflecopter! For instance, you now have to login with Facebook or your name/email address. This enables you to see your entries in a giveaway and edit them if needed. Please wait for the form to load, it may take longer to pop up than the rest of the web page. Make sure you have java script enabled and your browser updated. If you encounter an error, refreshing the page usually resolves the
problem. If problem persists, please report the issue to Rafflecopter. Login to get started, click "Do It" next to each task to see the instructions, and start collecting your entries!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

This week was a roller coaster. High-highs and low-lows. Very little plateau. Oh, how I love those plateaus. One high point was Marlie's potty progress. We were finally invited to send her to school in panties. Not one accident all week! I am so proud of her! Now the goal is to see if we can make this permanent at home, at school, and out in public. Spring Break is next week and I'm hoping to focus on the potty for the next seven days. The only obstacle? My lack of energy and patience.

This baby growing inside has decided to make his/her presence felt in a painful way. I thought I was going to skate through this whole pregnancy without an ache, but I was wrong. This kid has taken up residence on my left with his/her bony booty jutted out all the time. It hurts. It hurts badly. I have a throbbing, sore spot that feels like a pulled muscle. I'm also tired all the time and just want to lay down all the time, which my very hyperactive 2.5 year old sees as a bad thing because she does everything to get me up off the couch/bed. She also gave me her cold. So I am achy, tired, and stuffy. Daddy was on a business trip for the first half of the week so I had no back-up. I've been snappish with her all week and I feel guilty, but I'm on edge and not feeling well. Something had to give, so we decided after Spring Break she's going to school full-time for the remainder of this semester. That's the rough spots of the week. Nothing too horrible and we made it through.

Other bright spots: I've been working with a naturopathetic doctor to getting ready for my second natural birth. She's awesome. I have three areas to work on: Exercise, Rest, and a Support Team. I am also writing my birth plan. I also had a OB appointment this week (they are weekly now). My cervix is closed and "way back," so no early bird arrival for this baby chick.

I won two great giveaways during the Spring Fashionista Event. From Mother of Pearl It Is: I scored a Miche Bag bag with 2 interchangeable shells, a $75 gift code to Zutano, a 440 credit to Twin Elegance, and a $39.99 membership to Shoe Dazzle. From Daisy Dayz blog: my prizes are $50 to Sunglassesshop.com, $50 to spend at Wonderlost, a scarf, a necklace, as Swarovski crystal hair barrette, and 3 charm bracelets. That certainly cheered me up! The Fashionista giveaways were the most fun I've had as an avid sweeper. It's was so well-organized and the prizes were all awesome. So, of course, the blogger in me had to join in the fun! I am no signed-up for the Fall Fahsionista event October 11-16. You can register to participate too by reading this POST and tell them I sent you!

Speaking of giveaways, please check out my Virtual Baby Shower giveaways under the GIVEAWAYS tab on the menu at the top of my blog header. I have a bunch of cool prizes up for grabs for the new babies in your life. Enter for yourself or to win a gift for someone special who is expecting!

Friday, March 9, 2012

Online printing services have made professional desktop publishing an affordable reality for thousands of small businesses and for individuals too! Companies like PrintRunner.com let you be the head designer and produce high quality product like print postcards with lighting-fast turnaround. About PrinterRunner.com...

"PrintRunner.com
was established with little more than a small press and a dream. Ten
years later our company became one of the foremost quality printers in
Southern California. Our commitment to provide the best value and high
quality full color printing at affordable price made our company grow.;
PrintRunner is a full service high quality printing company located in
Chatsworth, California."

Buy It: A set of 100 5x7 postcards start at around $25.00. Postcards are an effective and inexpensive marketing tool. They are also great for personal projects like birth and we've moved announcements.Win It:100 5x7 postcards: 4-color front only, 14 pt UV coating, rounded corners optional, no proof, ships in 4 business days. Open to US residents only, 18+.

Please Read How to Enter This Giveaway: you must use the Rafflecopter form below to record your entries. Comments left on this blog post for the required or extra entries don't count unless you record it on the Rafflecopter form. There have been some changes to Rafflecopter! For instance, you now have to login with Facebook or your name/email address. This enables you to see your entries in a giveaway and edit them if needed. Please wait for the form to load, it may take longer to pop up than the rest of the web page. Make sure you have java script enabled and your browser updated. If you encounter an error, refreshing the page usually resolves the
problem. If problem persists, please report the issue to Rafflecopter. Login to get started, click "Do It" next to each task to see the instructions, and start collecting your entries!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

March 8 is International Women’s Day when thousands of events are held to honor the achievements of women around the world. Cindy Breilh, Women of Vision national director, offers seven easy ways for women to provide for daughters, sisters and mothers -- women around the world, right in our own neighborhoods and here at home:

Save a woman’s life in child birth:
Did you know that in countries like Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, and Bolivia, having a baby is one of the most dangerous things a woman can do? By helping train local midwives in remote communities, you could save a life. Visit StrongWomenStrongWorld.org to learn more.

Mentor a girl close to home:
A growing poverty rate, poor-performing schools, and teen violence make it tough to be a girl growing up here in our own country. Reach out and influence the life of a young girl in your own community by volunteering as a tutor or mentor. Get connected at BBBS.org.

Use your voice to stop trafficking:
Human trafficking and sexual exploitation affects girls and women in horrific ways all around the world, but the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in the US Senate can help end the practice. Contact your Senators and ask them to renew this bill to protect women and girls, both here in the US and around the world.

Invest in a small business owner:
Websites like WorldVisionMicro.org or Kiva.org connect you to hardworking women entrepreneurs, waiting to realize their dream of a dressmaking business, chicken farm, or food stall that will help them provide for their family. Even better, when the loan is paid off, your donated funds are loaned out again and again to make a bigger impact.

Provide the ticket to education—clean water:
One of the most common reasons girls in poor communities miss schooling is the lack of clean water in their village. Millions of girls and women spend several hours each day fetching water—often dirty and dangerous to their health—instead of attending school. Give the gift of clean water, and open the door to education for a young girl.

Band together with like-minded women:
Whatever your passion for helping other women, you’ll do it better—and have more fun doing it—with other women excited about the same cause. National movements like Women of Vision can connect you to a network of resources while allowing you to grow your own local group of women who want to make the world better for girls and their mothers.

Tell the women in your life that you care:
Empowering women starts right in our families, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Celebrate this International Women’s Day by writing a note of thanks to that teacher who encouraged you years ago, picking up coffee for that new mom in your office who’s struggling to balance it all, or telling your own sister, daughter, or mother how much you appreciate them.

I really adore hand knitted baby clothing, but since I don't know a loop from a purl I must rely on those more crafty than me to get my hands on adorable knitted items. Krafty Lady Kreations does not disappoint! Her line of handmade baby accessories is to drool for! Pictured on Marlie's doll baby (because the real model isn't due until mid-April) is one of the hat and sneaker bootie sets found in her Esty store:

dress not included

This set is made from top quality organic cotton yarn and just looks and feels scrumptious. Krafty Lady offers made to order items, so you can get just want you want for your special little girl or boy. I ordered a gender neutral set since we don't know what we're having. The sneaker booties came with interchangeable lace in white, pink and blue and the bow is removable. Now I can "recycle" the set for a sibling, family member or
friend! I can't wait to dress my new baby in this set and take lots of pictures! I dare you to visit Krafty Lady Kreations and not find something you want to purchase. I personally have my eye on this baby blanket:

Win It:Win a $25 gift certificate to Krafty Lady Kreations to purchase any item in store or order something custom-made! Open to US/CAN residents.

Please Read How to Enter This Giveaway: you must use the Rafflecopter form below to record your entries. Comments left on this blog post for the required or extra entries don't count unless you record it on the Rafflecopter form. There have been some changes to Rafflecopter! For instance, you now have to login with Facebook or your name/email address. This enables you to see your entries in a giveaway and edit them if needed. Please wait for the form to load, it may take longer to pop up than the rest of the web page. Make sure you have java script enabled and your browser updated. If you encounter an error, refreshing the page usually resolves the
problem. If problem persists, please report the issue to Rafflecopter. Login to get started, click "Do It" next to each task to see the instructions, and start collecting your entries!

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

I never thought about my personal credit until we refinanced our first property and had to get a credit check. Seeing my credit history in black and white was sobering. Did I really own seven credit cards in college that I was only paying the minimum balance on?! Luckily I had closed all those accounts and paid them off, but the stench of being financially irresponsible still lingered on my report.

There are many reasons to get a credit check-up, but you shouldn't wait until you are buying a house or car to get one. There could be errors or fraudulent accounts on your report and the time it takes to resolve the issue will delay your loan approval process. When was the last time you checked your credit history? Do you know you credit score?

If you answered "not sure" to either of these questions it's time to get a credit report. By law, you are entitled to a free credit report once a year, but these reports do not provide the entire picture. They do not include your credit score. Knowing your credit score is important. That little number affects not just your financial status when qualifying for loans or insurance rates, but can also impact your eligibility for employment opportunities. You can get a free credit score from a number of resources online so what are you waiting for?

Monday, March 5, 2012

Our first instincts as parents is to protect our children. So we buy baby monitors and childproof the house. But what about the clothing we put on our little ones? Did you know that newborn babies are especially vulnerable to the pesticide residue found in the fibers of conventional cotton clothing because their immune systems are still developing? Exposure to these chemicals can lead to ailments such as allergies and eczema. I speak from experience. We battled severe eczema and cradle cap when Marlie was an infant until I switched her clothes and bedding to organic fabrics.

Funkoos is a line of organic baby apparel that caters to parents looking for clothing that is chemical/pesticide free and affordable. The Funkoos collection ranges in sizes from newborn to 24 months and includes accessories such as bibs, booties, and wash cloths. Pictured on Marlie's doll baby (because the real model isn't due until mid-April) is one of the short sleeve organic bodysuits:

Isn't is beyond cute? There is no tag to irritate baby's skin. What I like best is the feel. There is a noticeable difference in the feel of organic cotton versus conventional cotton clothing.The organic cotton is super soft and pliable. I can put it over my face and breathe, whereas the regular cotton clothing feels grainy, rigid, and the air flow is restricted. I adore this bodysuit so much that I ordered another one on Amazon.com! You should definitely want organic clothes on your baby's skin and Funkoos should be your shopping destination!

Buy It: Funkoos organic short sleeve bodysuits retail for $23.99.

Win It:Win your choice of the stacked monkeys/boy or stacked elephant/girl organic bodysuit pictured above! Open to US residents.

Please Read How to Enter This Giveaway: you must use the Rafflecopter form below to record your entries. Comments left on this blog post for the required or extra entries don't count unless you record it on the Rafflecopter form. There have been some changes to Rafflecopter! For instance, you now have to login with Facebook or your name/email address. This enables you to see your entries in a giveaway and edit them if needed. Please wait for the form to load, it may take longer to pop up than the rest of the web page. Make sure you have java script enabled and your browser updated. If you encounter an error, refreshing the page usually resolves the
problem. If problem persists, please report the issue to Rafflecopter. Login to get started, click "Do It" next to each task to see the instructions, and start collecting your entries!

Followers

Legal

This is a personal blog written and edited by me. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are my own. I do not review products/services or host giveaways for products that I haven't used myself. Wherever applicable, any compensation in the form of cash (ads, sponsorships, paid topic insertions) or in-kind payments (free products, services, travel, event tickets, etc...) will be clearly marked. Any compensation received will never influence the content, topics, or posts made on this blog. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation of a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
In accepting the prize, the winners acknowledge that Marlie and Me is not be held liable for any loss, damages, injury, or illness associated with accepting or using these prize(s).